Anthony “Tony”Ferraris brings an authentic touch to the role of a firefighter on Chicago Fire, and there’s a compelling reason for this. The show, celebrated within the One Chicago franchise, intricately weaves the personal and professional narratives of firefighters at the fictional Firehouse 5 of the Chicago Fire Department. To resonate with the audience effectively, firefighter dramas often rely on a foundation of realism, and Chicago Fire consistently excels in this regard, seamlessly blending action and tension without veering into the realm of the improbable.
The series boasts a talented main cast, including Taylor Kinney, David Eigenberg, Christian Stolte, Miranda Rae Mayo, and Joe Minoso, alongside a host of recurring characters. Since its debut in October 2012, the show has experienced significant cast changes, with many actors, including series lead Jesse Spencer, parting ways over the years. While it’s common for characters to come and go in Dick Wolf productions, it’s notable that Ferraris has remained a steadfast presence throughout the series.
Tony Ferraris: A Real Firefighter and His Journey to Chicago Fire
Unique Skills That Set Him Apart on Set
In a fascinating twist, Anthony Ferraris plays a character also named Tony Ferraris, effectively portraying his real-life self. As an actual firefighter, he serves as the Engineer for Rescue Squad 2, stationed at Firehouse 91 in Avondale, Chicago. His journey to the show began when a friend in the firehouse shared an email from their union about casting extras for the series. Intrigued, Ferraris attended the auditions and was quickly selected for several scenes. As he puts it, “I guess they liked me.”
His unique background became even more valuable when he revealed that he was the only crew member capable of driving a “squad,”a vehicle equipped for major rescues. This revelation caught the attention of the show’s creator, Derek Haas, who later approached Ferraris about expanding his role.
From Extra to Recurring Character: Tony’s Evolution
A Spotlight from Derek Haas
A Tough Balancing Act
As fans eagerly anticipate the possible renewal of Chicago Fire for a 14th season, the specifics of Tony Ferraris’ character development remain uncertain. Since becoming a recurring character, the scope of his role has been relatively stable, suggesting he may continue in a similar capacity moving forward.
Despite his involvement in the series, Ferraris maintains his duties as a firefighter, though he hints at a desire to retire from front-line duty soon. He states:
“I’m hopefully ready to retire soon from the fire department, so I would have to go with the show for right now. I still love my fire department job though.”
When asked to compare the challenges of acting versus firefighting, Ferraris candidly expressed:
“Acting! It’s tough, man. I work with some incredible people, and to see them turn it on and off is pretty impressive. But I’m learning. I’m getting better and these guys, Eamonn (Walker), Taylor (Kinney), Jesse (Spencer), and Monica (Raymund) helped me immensely.”
It appears Tony Ferraris will remain part of the Chicago Fire team for the foreseeable future, and as his career unfolds, he may have found a surprising new path beyond his firefighting roots.